Radio Wave Repeater with Differing Antenna Directivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing millimeter wave communication systems require drilling a hole through the outer wall of a building to connect indoor and outdoor antennas, limiting flexibility and increasing installation complexity.

Innovation Solution

A radio wave repeater system with a first antenna on one surface of a support and a second antenna on an opposite surface, connected by a transmission line, allowing for signal transmission and reception between inside and outside the building without needing a hole in the outer wall, with different directivity configurations for the antennas to optimize signal coverage and sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hole is drilled through the outer wall to connect indoor and outdoor antennas, then signal transmission between inside and outside the building is achieved, but installation complexity increases and flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a repeater unit as an intermediary device that receives signals from the outdoor antenna and transmits them to the indoor antenna, eliminating the need for direct physical connection through wall drilling. The repeater unit acts as a mediator that bridges the indoor and outdoor communication environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system is divided into separate functional components: an outdoor antenna, a repeater unit, and an indoor antenna. This segmentation allows each component to be installed and configured independently, removing the constraint of requiring a single continuous path through the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a hole is drilled through the outer wall for cable passage, then connection between indoor and outdoor antennas is established, but adaptability to varying radio wave environments is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to radio wave environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic configuration where the repeater unit can be positioned at different locations and the antennas can be oriented in various directions to adapt to different radio wave propagation conditions, rather than being constrained by a fixed wall penetration point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The repeater unit serves multiple functions: receiving signals from the outdoor antenna, amplifying/regenerating them, and transmitting to the indoor antenna. This multi-functionality provides flexibility in system configuration and adaptation to various installation environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the same directivity is used for both outdoor and indoor antennas, then manufacturing and configuration is simplified, but signal coverage and sensitivity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna configurationVSAvoidsignal coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different directivity characteristics to the outdoor and indoor antennas based on their specific functional requirements and installation environments. The outdoor antenna may have broader directivity to capture signals from multiple directions, while the indoor antenna can be optimized for specific reception directions, enhancing overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables flexible communication between indoor and outdoor antennas without drilling through the outer wall, improving installation ease and adaptability to varying radio wave environments while reducing interference and enhancing signal strength and coverage.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission line through which a radio frequency signal received at the first antenna is transmitted to the second antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a transmission line through which a radio frequency signal received at the first antenna is transmitted to the second antenna and a radio frequency signal received at the second antenna is transmitted to the first antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS11664882B2Radio wave repeater and communication system
Publication Date: 2023.05.30 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • US11664882B2 patent drawing
  • US11664882B2 patent drawing
  • US11664882B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A support has a first surface and a second surface, and directions of normal vectors of the first surface and the second surface pointing outside are different from each other. A first antenna is provided on the first surface, and a second antenna is provided on a second surface. A radio frequency signal received at the first antenna is transmitted through a transmission line to the second antenna, and a radio frequency signal received at the second antenna is transmitted through the transmission line to the first antenna. The first antenna, the second antenna, and the transmission line are configured such that the directivity of the first antenna is different from the directivity of the second antenna.